Syfy Firms Up Development Duo

Syfy has greenlit a pilot and is developing a six-hour limited series.The network, formerly Sci Fi Channel, will work again with director/producer Bryan Singer (Superman Returns, X-Men) on six-hour limited series based on Mayan predictions for the end of the world. Singer executive-produced the network's 2005 miniseries The Triangle. He will be joined by producer Andrew Deane (Masters of Horror, Masters of Science Fiction, Fear Itself) and Keith Addis in developing the still untitled six-hour limited series that will be written by Michael Petroni (Chronicles of Narnia: The Dawn Treader, Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys) and Michael Bond (Passengers). The action-adventure story, from is expected to blendin scientific fact and myth with popular conspiracy theories centering on the Mayan calendar and what it predicts for mankind at its end date.Syfy is developing the project with Singer's Bad Hat Harry Productions and Addis and Deane of Industry Entertainment.

Meantime, Syfy has ordered the action-adventure 90-minute pilot, Alphas (working title) from writers Zak Penn (X-Men: The Last Stand, Fantastic Four,The Incredible Hulk) and Michael Karnow.Expected to commence production in early fall 2009, Alphas follows a team of ordinary citizens who possess extraordinary and unusual mental skills. Using physical feats and mental trickery, this elite force of heroes take the law into their own hands and uncover what the CIA, FBI and Pentagon have not been able or willing to solve. Alphas is executive-produced by Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun for BermanBraun Television